The surgeons nerve is a common nickname for the ulnar nerve, which is the nerve located in the elbow area. This nerve is quite vulnerable to injury due to its position near the elbow joint and can be easily compressed due to its close proximity to underlying bone and other soft tissues.
Since it is located in a relatively accessible area, it is often a target of medical procedures, including surgery. Damage to the ulnar nerve could result in symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, and an inability to extend the wrist and fingers.
What is axillary nerve also called?
The axillary nerve is sometimes referred to as the circumflex nerve and is the terminal branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It is composed of the fibers from the fifth and sixth cervical nerves and the anterior division of the fourth cervical nerve (C5-C6-C7).
This nerve helps to control movement and sensation of the shoulder joint and region, and is responsible for innervation of the deltoid muscle and teres minor muscle. Clinically, axillary nerve dysfunction is indicated by difficulty in abduction of the shoulder, inability to feel sensations when the shoulder is moved, and weakness in the deltoid.
Injury to the axillary nerve is usually caused by trauma, hematomas, and displaced arm fractures.
Is the axillary nerve part of the brachial plexus?
Yes, the axillary nerve is part of the brachial plexus. The axillary nerve is a muscle that starts from the posterior division of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, alongside the radial nerve. It passes over the axillary joint, providing sensory innervation to the shoulder joint, and supplying motor innervation to the muscles of the shoulder joint.
It does not, however, innervate the shoulder muscles as its main function, but it does provide some motor function. It also provides sensation to the shoulder region and the skin of the upper portion of the arm.
Is axillary nerve c7?
No, the axillary nerve is a nerve that branches off the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It specifically branches off of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves (C5 and C6) and not the seventh (C7).
The axillary nerve is known as the circumflex nerve, as it skirts around (or circumflexes) the shoulder to reach the muscles of the shoulder joint. It innervates the deltoid muscle and the teres minor which are responsible for shoulder abduction and external rotation when the shoulder is flexed.
It also supplies sensory fibers to the skin of the lateral arm.
Is the axillary nerve a sensory nerve?
No, the axillary nerve is not a sensory nerve. The axillary nerve is a motor nerve, meaning it supplies movement to the deltoid and teres minor muscles of the shoulder, which enable the lifting and rotation of the arm.
The axillary nerve does not supply sensation to the area, that role is taken on by the suprascapular and circumflex nerves.
How is axillary nerve only C5 and C6?
The axillary nerve is a peripheral nerve that is composed of fibers from the fifth and sixth cervical nerve roots (C5 and C6). It is one of three peripheral branches of the brachial plexus. It consists of motor fibers that innervate the deltoid and teres minor muscles, as well as sensory fibers that innervate skin over the lower part of the shoulder.
The axillary nerve has its origin in the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, and it passes through the axillary sheath, between the subscapularis muscle and the axillary artery. The nerve then divides into two terminal branches, the anterior and posterior branches, which give off a musculocutaneous branch.
The anterior branch passes through the quadrangular space between the humerus, the teres major, and the long head of the triceps, and it supplies the deltoid and teres minor muscles. The posterior branch passes through the triangular space between the long head of the triceps and the humerus, giving off an articular branch to the shoulder joint, and the remainder of the branch descends between the teres minor and infraspinatus muscles, innervating both of them.
In summary, the axillary nerve is a peripheral nerve that gets its fibers from the fifth and sixth cervical nerve roots (C5 and C6), originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It innervates the deltoid, teres minor, and occasionally, the teres major and infraspinatus muscles.
It is also responsible for sensory innervation of the skin of the shoulder.
What nerve runs through C7?
The seventh cervical nerve (also known as C7) is part of the nervous system and is a mixed nerve. It originates at the C7 vertebra and provides motor and sensory nerve branches. The nerve carries signals between the brain, neck muscles, wrist, and elbow.
Its motor branches provide innervation to the neck, elbow, and forearm extensor muscles. The sensory branches relay sensation of information from the neck, shoulder, and skin of the lateral arm and forearm up to the fingertips.
C7 is also responsible for providing coverage of the trapezius and rhomboids, as well as activating the diaphragm. Damage to C7, such as from pressure, trauma, or infection, can prove to be very painful.
Severely weakened C7 can cause paralysis of the neck and shoulder muscles and affect the individual’s ability to walk or raise the arm.
What is innervated by C7?
The seventh cervical (C7) nerve is a mixed spinal nerve that branches off the brachial plexus, which itself is formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical spinal nerves (C5-C8). C7 is the only spinal nerve in the brachial plexus that does not give rise to a somatic nerve.
The C7 nerve supplies motor innervation to three skeletal muscles in the shoulder, back, and arm: the triceps brachii, the deltoid, and the teres minor. The triceps brachii is the muscle that extends the elbow joint when you straighten your arm.
The deltoid is a triangular muscle on the shoulder that assists with a variety of movements, such as abduction of the arm and flexion of the shoulder joint. The teres minor helps with external rotation of the shoulder joint.
The C7 nerve also supplies sensory innervation to the skin on the posterior surface of the arm, the elbow, and the lower third of the posterior surface of the forearm. This includes the skin on the back of the hand up to the base of the index finger.
Damage to the C7 nerve can cause paralysis of the muscles it supplies and numbness in the skin it innervates.
Why does the nerve in my armpit hurt?
The pain in your armpit could be coming from a few different sources. It is likely that the pain is coming from either a muscle strain, nerve impingement, or an inflamed lymph node. A muscle strain can occur when simple everyday activities such as using a computer mouse, lifting heavy objects, or performing repetitive motions strain the muscles in the armpit area.
Nerve impingement in the armpit area can cause pain, and can occur from an injury or a herniated disc. Lastly, an inflamed lymph node can cause pain in the armpit area as well, and can be indicative of an infection or a health condition such as cancer.
To determine the exact cause of your pain, it is best to see your healthcare professional for a checkup.
How do I know if my shoulder pain is nerve related?
If your shoulder pain is nerve-related, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms: shooting, stabbing, or burning pain in your shoulder; numbness or tingling sensations in your shoulder, arm, or hand; weakness or difficulty moving your shoulder, arm, or hand; difficulty or pain sleeping on the affected shoulder; or pain when you wake up in the morning.
Other signs may include muscle twitching, cramping, or spasms around the shoulder.
If your shoulder pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention to determine its cause and possible treatment options. Your doctor can run tests such as an x-ray or MRI to check for any underlying conditions or structural damage in the shoulder.
They may also suggest you take an electromyogram to see how your nerves are functioning. Based on their findings they may recommend special exercises, physical therapy, medications, or possibly surgery to address the underlying cause.
What nerves are blocked in an axillary block?
An axillary block is a type of nerve block that involves the injection of an anesthetic drug into the axilla, which is the hollow area beneath the shoulder and above the armpit. This technique is used to block pain associated with shoulder, arm, and hand surgeries or procedures.
Specifically, this block targets nerves in the axilla, including the intercostobrachial, the long and medial pectoral, the lateral pectoral, the lateral cutaneous, and the musculocutaneous nerves. These nerves control sensation from the shoulder and sides of the chest along with the flexing of the arm.
A successful axillary block eliminates sensation to the targeted area and can provide up to several hours of pain relief.
